Tue, 12 Feb 2019 11:37:07 -0500WeeblyFri, 18 Jan 2019 20:03:51 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/sharing-our-valuesOver the summer our Early Learning Center Leadership team decided that the Jewish values that we had chosen in 2011 when we started our Reggio journey, didn’t necessarily define who we are now, in the 2018-19 school year. After meeting with Rabbi Jeremy Weisblatt, we came up with eleven items, three phrases and eight Hebrew words, that we thought would best define our school.

The Early Childhood Director as a visionary

The Early Childhood Educator as a professional

Families as engaged partners

Tikkun Olam (acts of kindness to performed to repair or perfect the world)

Masa (Journey)

Kehilla (Community)

Simcha (Joy)

Mishpachah (Family)

Kavanah (Intention)

Kavanah (intention)

Shema (Hear or Listen)

Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you how we see these values playing out in our school. We also invite you to share with us examples of these that you see happening in our classrooms and with the children]]>Fri, 30 Nov 2018 19:30:37 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/a-time-for-gratitudeI apologize for the gap in posting time, the past few months have been quite a journey for our community. We went from Rosh Hashana, to Simchat Torah, celebrating with one another, but missing almost a month of school. As soon as we got back into the groove, the Tree of Life shooting happened and we were turned upside down as we tried to deal with a lot of questions, emotions and feelings. And then suddenly it was November and we had a Thanksgiving program to put together and another week out of classes. Don’t blink, because by the time you finish reading this, it’s probably going to be December and the winter holidays will be upon us.

One topic that always seems to come up around this time of year is gratitude and how can we help our children be grateful and thankful. This is especially timely since many of us celebrate gift giving holidays in the winter time, and children (and adults too) can get caught up in the ‘more stuff’ mindset. How can you help your child during these times and throughout the year?

Model thankfulness and appreciativeness. Make sure your child is hearing you say your thank you’s when someone gives you something. Let them know when you notice they've done something (Wow! You put away the shoes for me. I appreciate that so much, now I have a little extra time to spend with you!). These little people want to be like us!

Share the things you’re thankful and grateful for. It’s not just for the Thanksgiving table! Every night at our house we ask a question that can’t be answered with a yes/no. Some questions you could ask: What’s something good that happened to you today? What are you thankful for today? What did you do nice for someone today? If they have a negative response, help them to find the positive to go along with it.

Talk about others. No, not that way. Talk about the people that might not have everything that you do and how you can help them. Set aside some time for G'milut Chasidim. G'milut Chasidim is the ways that we can perform acts of loving kindness by giving your self or your time, with out expecting anything in return. I know some people that keep kits in their cars that they can give to people that they see that are homeless. Visit an elderly neighbor who hasn't been feeling well. There are many places that your children can donate their unwanted toys to. Talk about the people in their daily lives and all the things that they do for us, from their busdriver to the trashman to the police officer, and do something nice for them.

Set expectations for the ‘stuff’. I’ve known families that clean out their toys/clothes/books right before the holidays. Yes, it’s making room for more, but it’s also teaching about giving and sharing. Talk about shopping trips ahead of time and how it might just be a “look” trip. One of the bloggers that I follow fights the “I wants” by letting her child hold the item that they want and snapping a picture of them with it, creating a photographic wishlist. Often, she said, her kid forgets about it completely!

Here are some groups and organizations that you can help out with donations:Foster Love (I only linked their donation page, but they have a bag drive going on through December 15)Play it Forward Pittsburgh (They are collecting donations now and through December 12. They encourage entire families, including children, to volunteer!)North Hills Community Outreach (They have a variety of programs and volunteer opportunities)

]]>Tue, 11 Sep 2018 15:15:59 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/lshana-tovaEach year the start of our preschool year coincides with the celebration of RoshHashanah, the beginning of a ten day period of reflection and introspection thatends with Yom Kippur, the solemn day of repentance. We want to share with yousome of the ways in which your children will be learning about these holidays.During these High Holy Days, Jews reflect on the previous year and plan for theNew Year. Rosh Hashanah is referred to as the birthday of the world, and inpreschool we relate Rosh Hashanah to the fresh, new start of school and to thechildren’s birthdays which cycle around each year, marking the beginning of a newage and new experiences for them. One of the symbols of Rosh Hashanah that isintroduced is the shofar or ram’s horn. The children will listen to Rabbi Weisblattblow the shofar and will try to imitate the different sounds: loud and soft, long andshort. It is customary during Rosh Hashanah to wish friends and family a sweet orgood new year (“Shana Tovah”). The sweetness of the New Year is celebrated byeating honey cake and apples dipped in honey. During Rosh Hashanah challah isbaked in a round shape with raisins on top, the round shape symbolizing the cycleof the year. We will also be sharing these foods in our classrooms.Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day when Jews ask forgiveness forwrongs committed against God and others. In preschool we talk about saying “I’msorry” when we have hurt someone else, made them feel angry or sad. And wepractice good ways to handle our disagreements and make others feel better. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur teach the children that everyone makes mistakes, and that we will always have the opportunity to learn to do better.

A few of the songs the children will be singing:Dip the Apples (Clementine)Dip the apples in the honeyBlow the shofar loud and clearShana Tovah, Shana TovahHave a happy sweet New Year.

Apples and HoneyApples and honey for Rosh HashanahApples and honey for Rosh HashanahFor a good, good year,For a sweet, sweet year.Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah.

I Like to Hear the Shofar BlastI like to hear the shofar blastSometimes slow and sometimes fast!I like to hear the shofar blastHappy, happy, happy new year!1. T‘ki-ah--------2. Sh‘va-rim--------3. T‘ru-ah ----

Wishing you a happy and sweet newyear,

Sara, Sandy, Shelley, Jennifer,Jeanne, Morgan, Jill, and Bonnie]]>Tue, 04 Sep 2018 00:17:47 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/back-to-school-tipsWhen my kids and I went for a walk yesterday we crunched through some fallen leaves. The grocery store is filled with mums and pumpkins, the air is getting cooler (or it was for a few days there), and the back to school sales are over...all signs that fall is coming. Along with fall come some very big transitions for children, namely going to school and heading off without mom and dad, some for the first time. It can be a hard time for them, and us parents too. With the first day of classes at Temple Ohav Shalom Center for Early Learning happening in a few days, I wanted to share some strategies to make your child’s (and your) transition a little easier.

Talk about it. Let your child know how they’re going to ride in the car, and talk about what they might see along the way. For instance, my daughter loves looking for the Star of David on the sign in the driveway. Discuss what they might do during the day. If you can, don’t let on how nervous you are; they’re smart little cookies and will pick up on your nervousness and they they’ll likely be nervous too.

Have a routine. Routines let us know what to expect. You’ll also be able to use it when talking about going to school. For example: “When we get to school, we’re going to hang your backpack up, wash your hands, and read two stories. After that, I have to go, but you’ll be able to read another story with Ms. Shelley.” This will help your children know that after that second story they will have to say goodbye for a little bit.

Know that the teachers have this. We care for your kids, almost just as much as you do. We don’t want to see them sad all day long, and will do whatever it takes to try to help them, whether it’s distracting with play dough, singing silly songs, or holding them for a while. Once I cheered a very sad kid up by mentioning, randomly, that I had to go to Target. That stopped the tears, and every day for a few weeks, we had to talk about Target, as part of his morning routine. We aren’t going to let children cry for hours, and chances are, they’re going to be okay by the time you reach the entryway. Just, please, don’t peek your head back in the window to check, as that often upsets children more.

Take some time for yourself! Are you using this time to get work done? Enjoy being able to do it without requests for milk and Thomas blaring in the background. Suddenly have 3 hours by yourself? Go grab a cup of coffee (not familiar with the area? Let us know, we can direct you to some good coffee shops,) get the grocery shopping done, go home and relax, go for a run...just take advantage of having some you time, something us parents don’t get too often. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will have coffee and snacks in the multipurpose room. Come down, get to know fellow parents, and if you want one of us to run up and check on your child, we will.

We’ve got this, parents! We are excited to get to know you and your children and are looking forward to a great year of learning, exploring, and having fun.

]]>Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:48:08 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/getting-ready-for-a-new-yearIt's hard to believe that summer is almost over! That means it's just about time to head back to school. Hear at Temple Ohav Shalom Center for Early Learning, the teachers have been busy. Recently, they had a staff meeting to begin to get ready for the new year, talking about their ideas and hopes for their classrooms and the children they will be with. They have also been working together in each of their classrooms, rearranging furniture, organizing materials and making plans for the very first days of school. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the first day, but before then we have a couple events planned. First is a play date on the the playground, which will give families old and new a chance to meet one another and explore our outdoor spaces. The second is a Parent and Teacher Meet and Greet, which will give parents and care givers a chance to meet and talk with their child's classroom teachers. If you are enrolled already, check your inboxes for more information on these events.

See you soon!]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2017 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/thanksgiving-celebrationWe all look forward to those special days throughout the year when parents and grandparents come into the center to create, explore, and discover together with their children. This year we began our Thanksgiving celebration in the sanctuary where the children sang favorite songs for their families. Later in the classrooms families enjoyed special snacks prepared by the children and shared in the children’s daily experiences of paint, collage, clay, blocks, stories, and pretending!]]>Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/fall-family-dinnerA family potluck dinner of favorite family recipes was held to celebrate Sukkot and the Thanksgiving season. Watercolor papers prepared by the children were used by parents to trace the children’s hands and add messages of gratitude. Handprint leaves from all the families are now hanging outside the classrooms on our tree of gratitude.]]>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/our-hopes-and-dreamsThis fall, as we began a new school year, parents were asked to share their hopes and dreams for their children by writing their wishes on a ribbon that would become part of a school-wide art project. In the studio the children constructed beaded wires and added their own hopes and dreams to the project. We hope that these dreams will become part of the early childhood experience at Ohav Shalom.]]>Tue, 03 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/family-album-nightOur school year began in September with an evening when parents and teachers prepared photo albums for the children. A wide array of scrapbooking materials and tools were provided for the design of the album covers. Each family filled their child’s album with family photos. When the albums were presented to the children in class as a gift from their parents, the children’s excitement and delight was wonderful! The albums will now be available to the children throughout the year. For the younger children they provide a reassuring connection to home, and for the older children an endless source of conversation and sharing.]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.centerforearlylearning.org/news/the-harvest-celebration-of-sukkotThis year our garden was overflowing with gourds the children had planted last spring. Our home-grown gourds now decorate our classrooms, serve as produce in our classroom “farm market,” provide many opportunities for painting and drawing activities, and even supply additional building materials for block constructions. However, by far the children’s favorite Sukkot activity is gathering inside our indoor sukkah for songs and stories. It is indeed a magical space enclosed by fabric walls and lit only by the overhead twinkling lights. We are always reluctant to take it down, and each fall leave it up far beyond the end of Sukkot!]]>